短編小説(たんぺんしょうせつ)

たんぺんしょうせつ
noun
short story; short fiction
1. short story; short fiction
A work of fiction that is shorter than a novel, typically focusing on a single plot or theme. Generally under about 100 pages.
短編小説(たんぺんしょうせつ)を書(か)く。
To write a short story.
この作家(さっか)は短編小説(たんぺんしょうせつ)が得意(とくい)だ。
This author excels at short stories.
彼女(かのじょ)の短編小説(たんぺんしょうせつ)集(しゅう)が文学賞(ぶんがくしょう)を受賞(じゅしょう)した。
Her collection of short stories won a literary prize.

Composed of 短編(たんぺん) (short piece) + 小説(しょうせつ) (novel, fiction). Refers to fictional prose that is significantly shorter than a novel, usually focused on a single episode or theme.

COMMON COLLOCATIONS:

  • 短編小説(たんぺんしょうせつ)集(しゅう): short story collection
  • 短編小説(たんぺんしょうせつ)を書(か)く: to write a short story
  • 短編小説(たんぺんしょうせつ)を読(よ)む: to read a short story

RELATED TERMS:

  • 長編小説(ちょうへんしょうせつ): full-length novel
  • 中編小説(ちゅうへんしょうせつ): novella, medium-length fiction
  • 掌編小説(しょうへんしょうせつ): flash fiction, very short story
  • 短編(たんぺん): short piece (can refer to short stories, films, etc.)

NOTE:
Often abbreviated to just 短編(たんぺん) in conversation when the context makes it clear that fiction is being discussed.

general
Added 2026.3.31 1:08
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